A Spiritual Battle (Eph. 6:10-17)

2/01/2007

Paul shifts gears a little in 6:10 and gives some instructions for godly living. This passage always is a good reminder of how my perspective on victories and defeats needs to be altered. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (6:12). It’s sad to think of how often I truly take this verse to heart and really consider the fact that I am in a spiritual battle.

It’s interesting that he reminds the Ephesians of their spiritual battle right after he gives them instructions concerning community relationships. It is like he knows that community leads to all sorts of grievances and disagreements, and we are to know that the enemy has his hand in these battles more than we would imagine. The enemy’s strategy is to divide the body of Christ and we are to be on guard against these attacks. That is one application of this passage, but I’m sure that Paul is looking at the sinful culture of Ephesus and exhorting the Christians there to fight a spiritual battle.

These verses are often used as a sort of war cry for freedom from demons. But the our only offensive play in this battle is to take up the sword of the Spirit. The word for “sword” is machaira, which means, “a short sword or a dagger.” Our entire strategy is to be built around a good defense. We are to “put on the full armor of God”, “stand firm”, and “resist”. I know there is a place for the binding and rebuking of demons (I should be doing more of that!), but Paul is pointing towards a solid interior rather than a forceful exterior in our spiritual battle.

There are 2 comments in this article:

  1. 2/03/2007frank say:

    Christians need to be obediant and we do this by SUBMITTING to God…That is the first and most important step…Then we resist the DEVIL and the result is “he will flee”….To much talk today about demons…Just obey and the church will do much better

  2. 2/03/2007Ian say:

    I agree, and that is what I was trying to say. But I also believe that there is a time to rebuke demons. There is a way to do this without turning out attention to them. Sometimes I find that I am oppressed by a demon and need to rebuke it. After I have done this, I find that it is easier to obey. There is a fine line here, but I want to know how to have my eyes on God and walk in obedience to Him, while also being aware of the spiritual battle around me.

    Thanks for your comments.

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